Gawn's Journey

[Demonland 73,266]

In his own words ...

 

[raDeelaide 248]

Good read. Thanks for posting. Love this guy. He is a real asset to this club on and off the field.

[Dingo 1,158]

Thanks.My sons went to school with Max and his older-but shorter- brother Adam! Both level headed young men.So are Max’s parents.

[Fanatique Demon 2,660]

Really? Max's parents are level headed young men??

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,933]

One of the best reads from a footballer I've read in a while.

 

He is a unique, lovable and slightly contradictory character Maxy.  Very clever, witty, funny and layed back, but has also developed into a highly professional and motivated athlete.  Will go down as one of my favorite all time MFC players.

 

Love his closing quote “Really, the only time we can go to an off‑season happy now is winning the flag.”

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,933]

Who would have thought after his first year or two that he would be the pick of this bunch for the red and blue.

Edited March 12, 2019 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

[DV8 2,271]

6 hours ago, Un fan de Demons said:

Really? Max's parents are level headed young men??

 

Well, apparently his old man is.

  level headed...

[leucopogon 1,519]

 Bloody legend.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,950]

11 hours ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Who would have thought after his first year or two that he would be the pick of this bunch for the red and blue.

Useful if we all remember this before writing off too soon draft picks or players traded in as being not worth what we paid for them.

I could have written the exact same words in the current Cameron Pedersen thread, too.

[Rodney (Balls) Grinter 10,933]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Useful if we all remember this before writing off too soon draft picks or players traded in as being not worth what we paid for them.

I could have written the exact same words in the current Cameron Pedersen thread, too.

Absolutely.   Similar things could be said about guys like Nev.   Stefan Martin and Martin Pike are others in a similar vein that I have serious regrets about us trading, though they might still have been an almost unviable options for various non playing ability reasons.

A bunch of guys presently on our list this applies to moving forward (Stretch, JKH, T Smith, Keilty etc).  As a supporter I have the luxury and prefer not to make a call on a player's future potential with us, with a few exceptions.  I never felt that Freo guy we picked up in Mark Neilds time was any chop - impressive numbers at VFL level, but always looked useless and never produced when he got an opertunity at in our senior side.  It's so much easier to be an armchair expert with the benight of viewing things retrospectively and without actual responsibility for making list management calls.

Edited March 13, 2019 by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

[hemingway 7,633]

Like others I had my reservations about Max in the early days. Over the last few years, I sometimes have wished that he would stop playing the joker and be a little more media shy.

However, you realize that humour is part of his make-up and no doubt helps him cope with the pressures of AFL footy and helps relieve some of the tension and pressure amongst his team  mates.

What you can't do his doubt his commitment and talents. Like all top line players he has made a huge mental and physical commitment to succeed. No-one has worked harder on the track and no one works harder on the field.  You can't make it without single-minded obsession to being the best. Max has done that. As a result, he will reap the benefits for the rest of his life both in footy terms (reputation and respect) and in financial terms.  No-one will say there goes a guy who "coodabeen" a champ. 

His performance on and off the field tells you that he has become a role model and leader of men.  

[DV8 2,271]

20 minutes ago, hemingway said:

Like others I had my reservations about Max in the early days. Over the last few years, I sometimes have wished that he would stop playing the joker and be a little more media shy.

However, you realize that humour is part of his make-up and no doubt helps him cope with the pressures of AFL footy and helps relieve some of the tension and pressure amongst his team  mates.

What you can't do his doubt his commitment and talents. Like all top line players he has made a huge mental and physical commitment to succeed. No-one has worked harder on the track and no one works harder on the field.  You can't make it without single-minded obsession to being the best. Max has done that. As a result, he will reap the benefits for the rest of his life both in footy terms (reputation and respect) and in financial terms.  No-one will say there goes a guy who "coodabeen" a champ. 

His performance on and off the field tells you that he has become a role model and leader of men.  

The criticisms and talk of trading him a few years back helped sting him to refocus his attention and efforts, to stay and to perform..   On the Big footy stage...  instead of just in the change rooms, and social activities.

 

He can be playful,  as long as he balances that with manly output and achieving.

..........................................................

 

2 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Useful if we all remember this before writing off too soon draft picks or players traded in as being not worth what we paid for them.

I could have written the exact same words in the current Cameron Pedersen thread, too.

This picture is really sad... and almost a total bust...   Max'ys first half career was a bust,   but he is right on track now.

[FireInTheBennelly 4,099]

On 3/12/2019 at 8:39 PM, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

Who would have thought after his first year or two that he would be the pick of this bunch for the red and blue.

Fitzy would've been a superstar, if only somebody told him how to pump out his biceps with his folded arm.

[hemingway 7,633]

22 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Useful if we all remember this before writing off too soon draft picks or players traded in as being not worth what we paid for them.

I could have written the exact same words in the current Cameron Pedersen thread, too.

True, it's a reminder of the vagaries of recruiting and recruiting outcomes. 

We see it so often. Some who are unable to make the transition from teenage star to senior football, those who don't fulfill their potential due to their work ethic and attitude, those crippled by injury and so on. And with someone like Max, those who take time to develop.  

At the time of recruiting, I thought we  had won the jackpot with Scully and Trengove, and that Max was just a big lazy kid with dodgy knees. 

When you consider the variables and the success rate, recruiting is really a lottery.

A bit like getting a champion race horse. You can get the best bred horse and have the best trainer but not get a winner and vice versa.  Some of the best horses have been el cheapos, sometimes overlooked in the sales by the experts.

As a friend of mine who breeds and races horses always reminds me, it is mainly luck. 

 

[Deemania since 56 6,738]

6 hours ago, FireInTheBelly said:

Fitzy would've been a superstar, if only somebody told him how to pump out his biceps with his folded arm.

Fitzy, yep, I fully agree about his potential and some of his skills. Apparently, he had diabetes Type 1, requiring insulin injections. Hell, what a player with that disadvantage! The first time I saw him play he was inexperienced, nervous and at times, absolutely brilliant on the field (marking, kicking, finding targets, elusive to opponents, a surprising interceptor with real hands). All this whilst still an apprentice to the big league team. Sad outcome, traded to the Whoreform team, I believe and in his last match, kicked a goal from the centre ruck duel - just swept in, swept up the ball, swept an eye goalward, swept the record books. If ever there was an MFC player that you wanted to see succeed ........

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,950]

26 minutes ago, hemingway said:

True, it's a reminder of the vagaries of recruiting and recruiting outcomes. 

We see it so often. Some who are unable to make the transition from teenage star to senior football, those who don't fulfill their potential due to their work ethic and attitude, those crippled by injury and so on. And with someone like Max, those who take time to develop.  

At the time of recruiting, I thought we  had won the jackpot with Scully and Trengove, and that Max was just a big lazy kid with dodgy knees. 

When you consider the variables and the success rate, recruiting is really a lottery.

A bit like getting a champion race horse. You can get the best bred horse and have the best trainer but not get a winner and vice versa.  Some of the best horses have been el cheapos, sometimes overlooked in the sales by the experts.

As a friend of mine who breeds and races horses always reminds me, it is mainly luck. 

 

While I understand your point, a lottery is 100% chance. With recruiting, I believe that there is a science to it, but the science isn't yet perfect. The science also can't take into account unexpected injuries. It can take into account previous history (such as ACLs prior to recruitment or a history of concussions) but impact injuries (broken bones, for example) are not possible to predict. I think our recruitment in the last few years has been significantly superior to the Bailey/Neeld era and I expect a lot of that has to do with greater skills and knowledge on the part of our recruitment team.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,950]

4 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Fitzy, yep, I fully agree about his potential and some of his skills. Apparently, he had diabetes Type 1, requiring insulin injections. Hell, what a player with that disadvantage! The first time I saw him play he was inexperienced, nervous and at times, absolutely brilliant on the field (marking, kicking, finding targets, elusive to opponents, a surprising interceptor with real hands). All this whilst still an apprentice to the big league team. Sad outcome, traded to the Whoreform team, I believe and in his last match, kicked a goal from the centre ruck duel - just swept in, swept up the ball, swept an eye goalward, swept the record books. If ever there was an MFC player that you wanted to see succeed ........

Now there's a thread topic all of its own. Of course, depends on your definition of success. However, I assume you mean as an individual (as opposed to seeing Robert Flower succeed by being a Premiership player). If that's what you meant, and with no disrespect intended, Fitzpatrick doesn't come close. I'd probably run with Jurrah, given where he'd come from.

[hemingway 7,633]

46 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

While I understand your point, a lottery is 100% chance. With recruiting, I believe that there is a science to it, but the science isn't yet perfect. The science also can't take into account unexpected injuries. It can take into account previous history (such as ACLs prior to recruitment or a history of concussions) but impact injuries (broken bones, for example) are not possible to predict. I think our recruitment in the last few years has been significantly superior to the Bailey/Neeld era and I expect a lot of that has to do with greater skills and knowledge on the part of our recruitment team.

Agreed, I was exaggerating to make a point.

Luck plays a part, a little like winning the flag.

I agree that this does not mean that you cast considered informed opinion to the winds.   

[hemingway 7,633]

54 minutes ago, Deemania since 56 said:

Fitzy, yep, I fully agree about his potential and some of his skills. Apparently, he had diabetes Type 1, requiring insulin injections. Hell, what a player with that disadvantage! The first time I saw him play he was inexperienced, nervous and at times, absolutely brilliant on the field (marking, kicking, finding targets, elusive to opponents, a surprising interceptor with real hands). All this whilst still an apprentice to the big league team. Sad outcome, traded to the Whoreform team, I believe and in his last match, kicked a goal from the centre ruck duel - just swept in, swept up the ball, swept an eye goalward, swept the record books. If ever there was an MFC player that you wanted to see succeed ........

Very hard to be a successful professional sportsperson with a major chronic illness.  

[beelzebub 23,388]

He's a funny lad.

Amazing to think he's only now about to play his 100th.....and already very accomplished.

A few hundred more Maxy.

Oh btw. I have two cats..Max and Ollie..... my Magpie wife has yet to twig

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,950]

4 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

He's a funny lad.

Amazing to think he's only now about to play his 100th.....and already very accomplished.

A few hundred more Maxy.

Oh btw. I have two cats..Max and Ollie..... my Magpie wife has yet to twig

Please accept my condolences.

[hemingway 7,633]

26 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

He's a funny lad.

Amazing to think he's only now about to play his 100th.....and already very accomplished.

A few hundred more Maxy.

Oh btw. I have two cats..Max and Ollie..... my Magpie wife has yet to twig

My Magpie wife would have twigged and made me buy two more cats named Pendles and Bucks. 

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,950]

35 minutes ago, hemingway said:

My Magpie wife would have twigged and made me buy two more cats named Pendles and Bucks. 

I heard a wonderful story about your wife, Ernest, which you apparently told. But I can't tell it here. Suffice to say she apparently enjoyed joining you in all your favourite activities including hunting, fishing, drinking and more.

(I'm not sure which of your four wives the story refers to, though.)

Edited March 14, 2019 by La Dee-vina Comedia

[hemingway 7,633]

1 hour ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

I heard a wonderful story about your wife, Ernest, which you apparently told. But I can't tell it here. Suffice to say she apparently enjoyed joining you in all your favourite activities including hunting, fishing, drinking and more.

(I'm not sure which of your four wives the story refers to, though.)

Like you, I have forgotten too. 

Yes, we had some wonderful times, but, for some reason, they all left me much the poorer. I donated some of the remaining money on a succession of analysts, trying to sort out the question of guilt. It did not help.  

[Biffen 12,949]

It’s not really a journey.

Life is not really a journey either.

It’s actually a process and should be viewed as such.

People who say “life’s a journey” rely on astrology, tarot cards and other esoteric nonsense too much.

Life is a process and success is a series of correct and often difficult decisions.